Coal chute



June 21, 1927.

H. MQDONALD com 0mm:

Filed' Adz. 2. 1926 a'mnutoz I fitter/Map Patented June 21, 1927.

- -HUGH MCDONALD, 0F CLINTON, IOWA.-

COAL CHUTE.

Application filed August 2, 1926. semi no- 126,527.

This invention aims to provide novel means whereby a chute may be bracedadequately, the construction being such, withal, that the laterallyinclined end portion of the chute may be turned end for end, so as topoint laterally in opposite directions.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and toenhance the utility of devices of that type to which the inventionappertains.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood thatchanges in the preciseembodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within thescope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

In the drawings Figure 1 shows in plan, a device constructed inaccordance with the invention, parts being broken away;

Figure 2 is an end elevation showing one member of the chute;

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the reinforcing or bracingmechanism.

The chute forming the subject matter of this application includes atrough-shaped main member 1 which may be broadened at one end, as at 2,so that it may be shovelled into conveniently. The numeral 3 marks alaterally inclined auxiliary trough-shaped member, which is wide enoughso that the end of the main member 1 can be inserted into either memberof the auxiliary member 3, in overlapped relation, as shown at 4.

A bracing and reinforcing structure is provided, the same being shown inFigure 3 of the drawings and including a rigid link 5 and holderspivoted to the ends of the link. Each holder is of U-shape, as shown at6, and the intermediate portion of its bottom bar is connected by apivot element 7 to one end of the link 5. The side portions 8 of eachholder have inwardly extended arms 9 provided with dependingfingers 10.The side walls of the main member 1 are received beneath the arms ,9 andbetween the parts 8 and 10, and the auxiliary member 3 is as-- sembledin a similar way with the other holder, the holders being slidable onthe members 1 and 3, longitudinally thereof, and. the link 5 extendingalong the bottoms of the trough-shaped chute members 1 and 3. A clampll, shaped like the holder 6, issecured at 12 to each end of theauxiliary chute members 3, the clamp 11 comprising a bottom bar 14, sideportions 15, correspond- .ing to the elements 8, arms 15 represented inFigure 3 by the parts 9, and depending the direction of the arrow B inFigure 1, then the member 3 is pulled out until there is 'no overlap'at4, then the member 3 is turned end for end, the end designated by thenumeral 18 in Figure 1 being overlapped on the end of the chute 1, theholder 6 which is on the chute member 3 turning on its pivotalconnection at 7 with the link 5. The

link 5 and both of the holders 6 can be slid lengthwise of the completechute, so as to provide strength where strength is most needed.

What is claimed is I 1. In a device ofthe class described, an auxiliarychute and a main chute having overlapped ends, the auxiliary chute beinglaterally inclined; holders on the chutes, and a link, one chute beingsli'dable in its holder,

and the holders being pivoted to the link,

whereby the overlapped ends of the chutes may be disengaged to providefor an end for end reversal of the laterally inclined auxiliary chute.

2. A device of the class described, constructed as set forth in claim 1,and further characterized by the provision of clamps on each end of theauxiliary chute, each clamp being adapted to engage the main chute whenthe corresponding end of the auxiliary chute is overlapped on the mainchute. V

3. In a device of the class described, an auxiliary chute and a mainchute having Set screws 17 or similar tightening g If it is de- 7 suedto cause the member 3 to dlscharge in overlapped ends, the auxiliarychute being laterally inclined, and being reversible so that either endof the auxiliary chute may be engaged With the main chute, thereby tochange the lateral inclination of the auxiliary chute, and clamps oneither end of the auxiliary chute, for engagement with the main chute,When either end of the auxiliary chute is overlapped on the end of themain chute.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixedmy signature.

:HUGH MoDONALD.

